St. Louis Sewer Line Replacement. If your drains smell off, sewage is backing up, or a foul odor in your yard won't go away, it's time to call a local St. Louis plumber. These are all signs that something is wrong with your pipes, and there's a good chance you'll need a sewer line replacement.
Broken sewer lines can be the result of leaks, shifting ground, or even just wear and tear over time. The bad news is that a full sewer line replacement is a major job that will require specialized work. The good news is that Signature Plumbing is prepared to help.
On this page, we'll go over signs that your sewer line needs to be replaced, the different possible repair methods, sewer line maintenance tips, and more. But if you are in need of immediate service, call now at (636) 742-2533 or reach out online to get help right away.
How To Tell if You Need a Sewer Line Replacement in St. Louis
Plumbing issues don't always have clear origins. When your sink clogs, it could be because the garbage disposal needs repairs, there's some grease buildup, or there's a blockage further down the line. We know it can be hard to tell when a problem is serious versus a simple fix, so we've outlined some of the key things to look out for.
Here are the main signs that your home needs a sewer line replacement in St. Louis:
Backups in Multiple Drains
A backup from a single drain is probably the result of a small clog. But, if many drains in your house are backing up, that probably means that there's an issue further down the line. Sometimes this can be the result of a plumbing stack clog, but often it's the result of a sewer line problem.
Slow Drains
Slow drains are related to backups – they are a sign that something is preventing the wastewater from flowing properly. Slow drains are often the result of partial clogs or mineral buildup. St. Louis area homes can have above average hard water levels, increasing the chances of these buildups over time.
Green Grass and Bad Yard Odor
At first, you might think a green patch in your yard is a good sign. But that's not always the case: A leaking sewer line can provide extra nutrients to the grass, causing them to grow well, but also putting off a foul odor and potentially harming your health. Watch out for green, soggy, bad-smelling patches in your yard.
Excessive Gurgling Noises
Even if your drains are working properly and don't take too long to function, they might be making strange noises – this can be an issue because it's a sign that there is a crack somewhere in the lines that is letting air in. For major cracks, a sewer line replacement is essential.
Issues That Keep Coming Back
Finally, the key thing to watch out for is issues that don't go away. Whether it's clogs, slow drains, odors, or gurgling noises, persistent symptoms are a sign of deeper issues. If you've tried fixing individual appliances but nothing seems to work, the real problem is probably with your sewer line.
When You Can Repair Instead of Replacing Your Sewer Line
There are two main scenarios where a sewer line repair makes more sense than a replacement: Deep clogs and smaller, contained leaks.
Deeper clogs, while harder to remove than blockages in individual appliances, can normally be broken up and removed without a full sewer line replacement. Whether a crack can be repaired or not mostly depends on its size. Smaller ones can be patched, or in some cases just that small section of pipe can be replaced, rather than the full line.
In either case, you need to identify the problem before deciding to repair or replace. The best way to do that is through a drain camera pipe inspection. Using a drain camera, your plumber can find the root cause of the problem before digging up your yard, saving you time and money.
What the Sewer Line Replacement Process Looks Like
There are two main methods to replace a sewer line in St. Louis: Sewer excavation and pipe bursting. A professional plumber can help you decide which of these pipe repair methods makes the most sense for your situation. Below are how each works, as well as advantages and disadvantages.
Excavation:
- This involves the digging up of the old sewer line, its removal, and the installation of a new one.
- Excavation is effective and will work for almost any sewer line replacement, no matter the issue.
- However, it's very time-consuming and can get in the way of your everyday life while your yard is dug up.
Pipe Bursting:
- With minimal digging, a new pipe is threaded through the existing one, breaking it apart and replacing it all at once.
- This is faster, cleaner, and typically does not require you to greatly adjust your schedule.
- Unfortunately, this can't work for pipes with excessive turns, and leaves debris in your ground.
Common Causes of Sewer Line Damage in St. Louis
Sewer line damage in St. Louis tends to fall into two general categories: Blocks and leaks. Blocks occur when something is clogging the line, preventing it from letting water through properly. This could be the result of too much material being put down the drain. For example, grease can slowly build up over time, as well as catch other debris that flows down your drains. Tree roots can also grow into a leak in the sewer line, blocking the flow.
Leaks in the sewer line are their own issue, though. Sometimes, they're caused by something minor, like a loose joint. These can typically be tightened or patched for a repair. Unfortunately, this isn't always the case. Larger breaks can happen due to shifts in the ground, and older pipes can start to leak as they age. In these cases, a sewer line replacement is needed.
Why Choose Signature Plumbing for Your Sewer Line Replacement
Signature Plumbing is St. Louis's leading plumbing contractor. We are a local company that knows the unique challenges St. Louis homes face when it comes to their sewer lines. Here's what sets us apart:
We address the root cause, not just the symptom
You don't want to constantly unclog your appliances without truly fixing the issue. If there's an effective solution that doesn't require a full sewer line replacement, we'll use it. But if your home needs it, we're ready for the job.
We offer fast/emergency service
Basement floods can happen outside of the 9-5 business hours. We know that, and we're ready to help whenever you need us. We offer emergency plumbing services for the St. Louis region, and are just a call away.
We will perform a broad inspection of your property's plumbing
No matter where the symptoms are, we're prepared to give your whole plumbing system an inspection to find the issues. We'll check water lines, sewer lines, and individual appliances to find the problem and apply the solution.
We test our work to make sure everything is done right
Whether it's drain cleaning, a toilet repair, or a full sewer line replacement, we always check our work to make sure your plumbing is in good condition before we mark a job complete. If anything still isn't working right, we'll get to the bottom of it.
Preventive Maintenance Tips to Protect Your New Sewer Line
When you've just had a sewer line replacement, you probably want our new line to last as long as possible. We recommend the following maintenance tips to prevent future damage:
- Avoid flushing solids or oils down the drain – use proper oil recycling and composting services instead.
- Schedule regular sewer line cleaning. This can prevent clogs from building up and identify other issues early.
- Run hot (but not boiling) down your drains roughly once a week.
- If you garden or plant trees, avoid areas of your yard near the sewer line.
- Bonus: Add a sewer cleanout. Sewer cleanout installation doesn't directly protect your sewer line, but it allows plumbers easier access for future repairs, reducing the chances that you'll need another full sewer line replacement.
Follow these tips and inspect your sewer line regularly, and you're well on your way to a long-lasting new sewer line.
Call Signature Plumbing Today for Professional Sewer Line Replacement in St. Louis
Sewer line replacement is a big job, and you need someone who knows how to do it right. Signature Plumbing's professional experience, friendly attitude, and dedication to St. Louis make us the right call for the job. We're here to help you with all your plumbing needs, great and small.
Call us today at (636) 742-2533 or schedule an appointment online to get started.
We also perform sewer line replacements in all of the following locations: